Downtown Lancaster, Pennsylvania is a place that is always full of people walking, sitting in cafes, or sightseeing. It was exactly like that one Saturday when a local married couple happened to be enjoying the glorious festivities there.
They could not even imagine that they would soon run into a surprising passer-by in a completely unexpected place. However, this is exactly what happened, and these people, as soon as they came to their senses, immediately told their daughter about it.
It was about 1 p.m. when she called the animal rescue service for help and these people were quickly on their way to that place.
Quick Reaction
Source: Acorn Acres Wildlife Rehabilitation
When the rescue organization staff heard that these people found a groundhog in that place, they were stunned. Acron Acres founder, Betsy Shank, was especially shocked.
“My heart dropped,” Betsy told The Dodo. “[She] was mere feet from one [of] the largest and busiest intersections in the city.”
First of all, this experienced woman was shocked by the fact that an animal like this found itself in a place like that. But besides that, she was also afraid because she knew that groundhogs in Pennsylvania are a rabies-vector species.
It was for this reason that she knew that their reaction had to be quick. “My team literally ran out the door to get on scene as fast as possible,” she said.
“Downtown was bustling with people! And there, behind the flowerpot on the wall of the stairs, was a terrified, dehydrated, momma groundhog.” Acron Acres described the “scene of the crime” in their Facebook post.
Source: Acorn Acres Wildlife Rehabilitation
After assessing the situation and determining the best route, the team went into action. With the help of a broom handle and the dad of a girl who called them in the first place, they swiftly captured her.
They were over the moon because of the successful rescue operation, and even the people who witnessed it couldn’t hide their delight and couldn’t stop thanking them for what they did.
Back Where She Belongs
Source: ACORN ACRES WILDLIFE REHABILITATION via The Dodo
As soon as the rescuers managed to get out of the crowd, they took the groundhog to the clinic.
Considering that they did not have the capacity to house and care for her in their facility, they moved her to Red Creek Wildlife Center, a rehab facility located in Millersville, Pennsylvania.
After some examination and investigation, it appeared to these people that the mama groundhog had somehow managed to escape from the trap in which she had been caught.
The fact that they didn’t know what had happened to her little ones broke their hearts. Yet, since she wasn’t actively lactating, they hoped that her children would be able to fend for themselves.
Fortunately, the smiles quickly returned to their faces when they saw that the groundhog was making rapid progress and would soon be ready to go back to where she belonged.
“Since I am familiar with the area where she was released, I feel pretty confident in saying that it is likely she will never see a bustling city square again,” Betsy said. “Her future is full of fields and forests with their abundance.”
